Peter’s Pack Goes to Lake Galina

Today Peter’s pack and I finally took a longer six mile walk together, around Lake Galina in Peace Valley. It was a sunny but windy Saturday, with such beautiful views, and it looked very different from the wintry trip Peter and I had made there. Everything was now green. The trees were flowering, and other people were wearing shorts and short sleeves to run or bike the trail.

There was even a little boy attempting to roller blade down the roughly paved path, and I thought of how graceful a skater Peter was. He was going to teach me to roller blade in the warmer weather. “You learn how to fall first… in the grass,” he said. I was looking forward to learning, and then to skating with him outside all through the summer into fall. It was just another activity we could add to our list of those that we enjoyed together.

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I walked past the peddle boat rental building and remembered that we were going to take one out on the water sometime. Peter had said I could just ride along, and that he would peddle for both of us, I suppose straddling his long legs to catch one peddle from either side. I figured that meant that I was going to be placed on the back of the peddle boat, but others who heard the tale smiled and said maybe I would ride in his lap. Well, just maybe I would have, ever given the chance. Today the park had its red flag waving, however, to signal that it was too windy to be on the water.

I walked out onto one of the small docks that extended into the lake, to look in either direction over the water. Two ducks were swimming together very close to my position, used to the many people that wandered the trails there. Their companionship enjoying the sun on the shimmering water made me sad, thinking of my own someone, and of never having a moment in his vibrant presence again. He would have loved this day.

Back on the path around the reservoir, I looked up into the sky. Peter and I had talked about how the light there played its tricks, and you never saw the same sky two times. I searched the blue haze for him, but what I found was peaceful blue sky and white clouds swiftly moving past in the silence, my new companion. I thought to myself that I will visit this place again, maybe even rent a pedal boat, because Peter loved to be there. But I realized that no matter where I go, it will just be to live in my memories of him.

Peter, I am feeling lost now, and I don’t know what to do.

PS – I love you.

About the author: Adria Nemeroff is a CPA currently residing near Allentown, PA. She began the Peter’s Pack series as a tribute to her departed companion and hiking partner Peter John Falkowski, who’s enthusiasm for the scenic outdoors and artistic talents for photographing landscapes inspired her to keep going outside. Peter’s Pack will now roam on adventures both familiar and new in loving memory of him.